CD Review: Sondorgo's 'Tamburocket'

Sondorgo
Tamburocket
Riverboat Records

Hungary's Sondorgo plays Hungarian folk music with a Turkish, Slavic, and Balkan influence. The music is steeped in Gypsy horns, folksy strings, and great plucking. The plucked instruments featured on Tamburocket are various tamburas. The mandolin-like sounds of the tambura create a folksy rhythm and bright, cheery sound. Other instruments include flute, darbuka, clarinet, sax, kaval, and tapan. There are some vocals throughout, but the primary attribute of this recording is in the instrumentals. There are folk dance tunes, trance-like tracks, and effervescent instrumentals with great deliveries. Sondorgo's Tamburocket is a celebration of the music from Hungary with influences extending beyond the borders of the country. Fans of Hungarian folk, world music, European music, and Balkan jazz will love Sondorgo. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jaro Milko & The Cubalkanics' Cigarros Explosives!'

Jaro Milko & The Cubalkanics
Cigarros Explosives!
Asphalt-Tango Records

The Switzerland-based band, Jaro Milko & The Cubalkanics, combine edgy, Latin percussion from Cuba and punchy, horn-driven, gypsy music from the Balkans. The seemingly unlikely combination of instruments and styles comes together to form a unique and fluid blend of world fusion at its finest. The musical syncopation adds a little psychedelic moments, while other sounds take on a neo-ska origin. At any rate, The thirteen tracks are diverse, catchy, and very danceable. The surf-like guitar accompaniments and fluid bass-lines bring out the best in Cuban, Balkan, and gypsy music. Fans of heart-pounding dance riffs, punchy percussion and horns, and Latin rhythms inspired by the 1960's and 70's will especially love its resilient and memorable sound. Cigarros Explosives! is what results when you travel through Hungary, Switzerland, and Cuba--all at the same time! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ferenc's 'Gypsy Dream'

Ferenc
Gypsy Dream
Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings

Classically-trained and world famous, Ferenc is a violinist with a gypsy soul and a fusion touch. The instrumental recording brings together acoustic guitar, violin, piano, acoustic bass, tambura, tabla, viola, percussion, and violincello for a somewhat jazzy, gypsy, and flamenco-tinged result. Ferenc's violin is rather folksy and energetic, but always emotive. The music ebbs and flows with such a musical intensity that it is difficult to ignore for any length of time. The music is jazz-based with a folklore foundation bridging Ferenc's Hungarian roots with the classical world in a jazz setting. The flowing piano melodies are appropriately-accompanied by skillful percussion sections and a medley of strings, guitars, and acoustic presence. Fans of instrumental gypsy music with a world fusion, jazz, and folk backbone will definitely find happiness in the tracks of Gypsy Dream. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Veretski's Pass' 'The Klezmer Shul Live'

Veretski Pass
The Klezmer Shul Live
Golden Horn Records

The California-based, Veretski Pass, is an instrumental group that reinterprets centers of musicmaking--shuls--which were synagogues that were originally created as gathering places for craftspeople, tailors, stonecutters, and musicians. Utilizing styles and melodies from various lands of Jewish inhabitants, Veretski Pass uses classical, avant-garde, and free jazz genres from Czech Republic, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland. The instrumental nature of the music is vibrant, reflective, and calming throughout. The twenty-three different compositions are divided into four different poetic groups movements or groupings: Without Beginning, A Sign Upon Your Head, Remembrance, and The Wonder of Being. Cookie Segelstein plays violin, Joshua Horowitz plays button accordion and piano, and Stuart Brotman plays bass cello and the rarely heard tilinca--an end-blown flute from the border of Romania and Ukraine. Anyone with an interest in Klezmer classical music will love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Parne Gadje 'Kefi Kefi'

Parne Gadje
Kefi Kefi
Smoked Recordings

The whirling, folk melodies of the Netherlands-based Parne Gadje captures the essence of Balkan, Gypsy, hora, klezmer, and Mediterranean musical roots. Thirteen tracks of vocal and instrumental gold showcases the wide-ranging abilities of the musicians. The emotional tone, vocal calisthenics, and magical playing abilities are characteristic qualities of Parne Gadje's repertoire. A mix of traditional and original tunes provide a nice palette of musical color. Fans of gypsy, Balkan, klezmer, Mediterranean, North African, European, and instrumental music will appreciate Parne Gadje's unique blend of music the most. Recommended tracks: "Afghan," "Sa tele zhav," "Merzifon," and "Mercedes." ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hungary's Tarkany Muvek

Tarkany Muvek

Arcomba Az Arcod Vested (You Etched Your Face In Mine)

Phantom

Tarkany Muvek is a fascinating music group from Hungary. The Gypsy influence is prevalent with the presence of the cymbalom, flute, sax, strings, and vocals. The energetic "Csipd" opens the album with a giddy, Gypsy rhythm with a playful cymbalom. Vocalist Paar Julianna reflects some of the poetic delivery and sound of the numerous contemporary Scandinavian singers today. The jazzy "Semmi Sem Hasanlit Hozzad" permeates the ears with a Gypsy-tinged sax medley with softer cymbalom tones. The piano-like sounds of the cymbalom are characteristic of Eastern Europe, Gypsy culture, and mainstays in traditional orchestras. The pleasant sounds of "Oszi Vazlat," along and Paar's vocals, make the song a perfect introduction into the next song, "Ugy Szeretlek". This song, along with "Csiririp," contains a spritely rhythm indicative of America's Roaring 20's era. Although, both songs are distinctly Hungarian, they still resemble the nostalgic era. Tarkany Muvek are perfect for fans of European/Scandinavian folk, Gypsy, Balkan, and even Klezmer music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hungarian Rock with Napra

Napra

Holdvilagos (In The Moonlight)

Folk Europa

The Balkan-folk-rock group, Napra, is a bit of a heady, guitar and brass-driven band that favors the punk-jazz grooves of modern society. The urban vocals and bass beat of "Tulipanos" cements their mark in the world of Hungarian rock. Bordering on Russian folk and Balkan jazz pop, Napra is anything but a sleepy journey through Transylvania. "Sas Ferenc Hoditasa" is a fast, guitar-driven tune with folksy rhythms and vocals. The slower pop-ballad, "Hang a Hangbol", showcases one of the many different sounds and sides of Holdvilagos. Given Hungary's geographical location within Central Europe, it is not surprising Napra is influenced directly or indirectly by Balkan jazz, Central Asian pop, Russian folk, Scandinavian rock, Rom-Rock, and even South American music! The range of melodies, sounds, and vocals is a refreshing delight to come out of Hungary. If you have not experienced some spine-tingling, folk-rock from Hungary, then experience it today with Napra. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hungarian Folk Singer

Beata Palya
Adieu Les Complexes
Sony BMG

Hungary's Beata Palya brings us gorgeous vocal songs from the land of the Gypsies. Of course, the familiar cymbalom, sax, violin, flute, and piano are present, but there is a unique blend of folk and jazz music on this recording. Her vocals soar into new territory - spanning the Balkans, Mediterranean, Silk Road, and Scandinavia. She sings in Hungarian and English. However, song lyrics are provided in English, French, and Hungarian in the liner notes. Each song reveals something new and exciting. In other words, there isn't one dull moment on Adieu Les Complexes. The seemingly plaintive intros evoke an entrancing mixture of despair, optimism, and reflection. However, do not 'fret', because Beata Palya will fill your heart with joy. If you like soft jazz, Transylvania music, and Scandinavian-like instrumental and vocal arrangements, then Beata is for you! ~ Matthew Forss